I usually use one halyard, but use a lanyard with a slip loop in it -- if the halyard fails, that slip loop is going to grip the mast pretty quickly. I use a climbing harness and a climbing rope run through a block hoisted on the halyard. I don't rely on snap shackles ever, but I will rely on a pin shackle.

With a mechanical ascender, I can hoist myself up using the two parts in the climbing rope. Getting down is a trick, as you need to pull yourself up a little to free the mechanical ascender, but need to grip the rope, too.

Then there was the time the first mate decided to "neaten up" the area by the winch as she winched me up by untying the halyard that held up the block that held up the climibing rope. I havent let her forget that one!

--Karl
Hood 38
S/V Mabel Rose